We believe that it is critical to continually engage students to remind them of their goals and why they decided to pursue their career path.

How do you manage a student's unrealistic expectations?

Students fear the unknown. I sense on the first day of every class there are students who look at the syllabus and wonder if they will be able to pass this class.They wonder if they are up to it. To assure them of success I spend a lot of time the first day going over each assignment in complete and specific detail and showing how we together are going to accomplish our objectives. I make a point of bring in assignments and projects from previous classes for them to review as well as giving them a specific outline of each learning objective that we discuss as we meet them.

The anticipation and excitement on day one should be approached by every staff member, all departments. Credibility is important but continued involvement is equally important.

I believe that setting the tone and identifying expectations on day one is vitally important. Just as important, I allow time to ask each student to share their expectations, from both myself as well as their fellow studebts. This I believe helps to keep everyone on the same page as well as giving the instructor information to individualise their actions for the term.

THIS SET THE MOOD FOR A STUDENT TO TO FEEL SECURE AND COMFORTABLE TO WANT TO CONTINUE ON.

THE ADMISSION REP IS THE FRIST PERSON TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENT TO THE PROGRAM THEY WISH TO ENTER IF THE STUDENT DO NOT GET THE IMFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE THEM FEEL THEY CAN SUCCEED. THEY WILL NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEIR PLAN.

THE FRIST DAY TO SCHOOL IS EXCITING FOR STUDENT AS WELL AS INSTUCTORS A NEW ENVIORMENT FOR STUDENTS AND NEW STUDENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS A TIME TO FORM A BOND THAT WILL HELP THE STUDENTS SUCCEED.

STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND SUPPORT FROM THE INSTRUCTOR AS WELL AS THEIR FELLOW CLASSMATES.IT SHOULD BE TEAM WORK IN THE CLASSROOM.

IF THE STUDENT DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG AT A SCHOOL OR THAT THE SCHOOL WILL HELP THEM ATTAIN THEIR GOAL THEY WILL NOT FEEL THE NEED TO ATTEND .

Most student are not comfortable at school because they feel that other students will look at them diferently or feel like an outcast.As instructors we need to reasure students that everthing will be ok just keep their focus on their goal.

i improuve retention by listening to student about any subjects

Organizational culture...does that mean that whoever is in charge it is their energy or attitude we must endure....otherwise its just blah...blah...blah

Sometimes it just a smile, or a handshake, or a pat on the back, or just saying job well done...what ever the feedback it lets a person know you see them and they are in the right place...

Spoke with a student...she is the first generation to go to college...she has her ups and downs....but she is determined to be the first in her family to graduate from college...I give her motivation when she has her downs...but no matter what it is all her!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes have a student continue school is difficult when they have negative support at home. What are ways other schools have overcome this obstacle?

When talking about our retention efforts I like to think that we on my campus take a village approach, everyone from the faculty to admission's and registrar. we all take time to divide up the list of students that are "at-risk" and cater our response to their individual circumstances.

I have used this concept a bit differently than issued here. I believe that there are two motiviations in this world...want to and half to. A good example of this is in admissions. I have worked with many schools where the motivation to attend school is this very division. Generally our younger students are in a want to situation...they want to go out and experience school in an interest that they are passionate about. Or perhaps its just going to school and taking the next step in thier life. Either way they want to make this exciting change. They are not held to it. With this group, the want can change quickly. They may want to change schools next week or follow another interest. Have tos, as I call them, are folks who may be stuck in a rut. They need more from life than what they are getting. They Have to make a change. That drive genereally creates a higher motiviation and desire to follow through and jump over hurtles. They dont see their "have to" as a negative. Rather, it is their way out. This is just my 20 years in this industry speaking. Just a different view. A half to can be a positive experience...which I feel is what your presentation was ultimatelly about.

I believe that retention is everybody's job not just the instructors. It seems that the instructor is the only one that seems to get in trouble with retention. I think that is so unfair.

I believe that we don't have the time for some of these strategies especially if we are adjunct instructors. It may be better for us to refer the student to the director of their department who may be better able to refer the student to the proper agency.